Project Level Biologist- Generation

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project-Level Biologist- Generation with experience in natural resource management and biological studies preferably related to generation projects such as wind, solar, or battery storage initiatives for our Austin, TX office.  We are seeking a candidate who is looking to develop or continue a long-term consulting career that combines high-level technical expertise, strong writing skills, business acumen and the potential for leadership. Responsibilities may include writing technical reports, participating in field surveys, natural resource planning, permitting assistance, and coordinating with a multi-disciplinary team.  

This is a full-time, regular with benefits position, reporting to one of SWCA’s Project Managers. This position involves both office and field work, with a potential 50/50 split based on project needs. It could be a remote (within Texas) or hybrid position.

Under this job requisition, we may hire the following job position: 

• Assistant Project Biologist - Typically with up to three (3) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Associate Project Biologist - Typically with up to five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Project Biologist - Typically with up to seven (7) years of relevant experience and expertise.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

What you will accomplish

Below please find the job responsibilities for an Assistant Project Biologist.  Responsibilities for an Associate Project Biologist or Project Biologist include leading small to mid-sized project projects and serving more as a subject matter expert.

• Develop project management and technical lead skills on a variety of biological resource projects.
• Conduct a variety of natural resources studies including wetland delineations, threatened/endangered species assessments, environmental assessments, and biological reports and evaluations documentation.
• Organize, review, and transfer field data, and write technical reports and permit applications and subject matter expert review related to the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, local municipal and county regulations, and other resource planning/permitting relevant in the Great Plains, texas, and Atlantic Gulf Coast.  Report writing may reach 65% of the position's required time commitment.
• Prepare reports and permit documents as the primary author and conduct quality assurance/quality control for a variety of renewable energy project types and sizes.
• Work closely with a project team to complete biological resource management tasks.
• Take initiative and resolve issues in an independent manner.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Work closely with SWCA’s other resource scientists, planners, on natural and cultural resource projects throughout the company.
• Work as member of a team and independently to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field required.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in biological surveys and natural resource management, in either the public or private sector.
• Experience working with scientists, planners, engineers, contractors, and agency specialists.
• Proficiency in writing natural resources technical reports -- these may include those related to the Endangered Species Act; the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; and/or other biological requirements.

Preferred:

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in biological surveys and resource management, with at least two years in the private sector.
• One to three years of APM or project management experience.
• Experience in preparing reports and permits as primary author for variety of oil and gas, transmission, and/or renewable energy project types and sizes. 
• Demonstrated business development success, including proposal writing, budget development, and client interaction. 
• Desire to learn and grow into increased project-management and supervisory responsibilities. 

Additional Information:

• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, and/or rugged terrain. 
• Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.  
• It is anticipated that low to moderate travel will be required for the position, with field work sometimes reaching 50% of your time (seasonally), especially for assistant project biologists. 

 Why Work at SWCA:

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services.  Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.

We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

At SWCA, we support our team members in developing their careers to make them leaders in their industry. Our Career Landscape initiative is a process and guide designed to help develop chart rewarding career paths for employees at SWCA. We encourage professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs, education reimbursement, a Science and Leadership Program, and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria. All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans, and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees.  In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Austin, TX based position can expect the following rates:

• Assistant Project Biologist- $28.67/hr. - $37.40/hr.
• Associate Project Biologist- $32.76/hr.- $42.04/hr.
• Project Biologist- $74,954.88- $96,532.80 annually

Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.  Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

#LI-JR1